Perth, Dec. 17 : A desperate Australian captain Ricky Ponting has instructed pace bowler Brett Lee to taken on a leadership role in attacking the South African batters during their series Down Under.

Lee, who has played 74 Tests and taken over 300 wickets, Ponting has been asked to make an instant impact in the absence of his injured new-ball partner Stuart Clark.

"Brett''s really up for the challenge. I''ve singled him out in the team meeting yesterday (Monday) as the leader of the attack," the Daily Telegraph quoted Ponting as saying after training.

"I know he really enjoys that role so I''ve put it back on to him to make sure he''s leading the way right from the start of this series," he added.

Rahul Dravid still continues to get the backing of all those who matter, including the selectors, though he might have been unsuccessful to put an end to his failures in Chennai.

It has been learnt that David has got suggestions from the five wise men that he should take a break from the game for a while so he can regain his focus and come back afresh.

Melbourne, Dec. 17 : The top-order batsmen for Australia and South Africa will hold the key for who will be the victor, as both sides have good new-ball bowlers, says former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne.

In an article for the Daily Telegraph, Warne says that this is where the series will be won or lost, and added that South Africa versus Australia battles have always had hype, but the Proteas have never lived up to the billing and have not been able to deliver.

Perth, Dec. 17 : In an explosive claim leading into the first South Africa-Australia Test at the WACA Ground in Perth, South African captain Graeme Smith says Warne has told him how he should go about bringing down Australia''s batting champions Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden.

Writing an exclusive column in The Daily Telegraph, Smith reveals he used his stint at the Rajasthan Royals under Warne''s captaincy to gain inside information on Australia''s batsmen.

London, Dec. 17 : England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar's career is plunging towards crisis point following another poor showing for his team in the First Test against India in Chennai, the Sun reports.

Panesar failed to take a wicket in 27 overs in India's second innings despite operating on a pitch that was tailor-made for him. He was attacked for his performance by a string of cricket legends, including Ian Botham, Geoff Boycott and Shane Warne.

Experts believe that his bowling has gone backwards during the past year and he cannot think on his feet, decide what pace to bowl or even set his own field. He does not appear to know the laws, either, judging by some of his leg before wicket appeals.

Sydney, Dec. 17: Young New South Wales opener David Warner has signed a two-year deal to join Indian Premier League side Delhi Daredevils.